Cebuana Lhuillier aims for 3rd straight win

PBA D-League Foundation Cup
Team Standings

               Group A

                                           W     L
Pharex                                  2      1
NLEX                                   2      1
PC Gilmore                           2      1
Black Water                          1      1
RnW Pacific Pipes                1      2
Freego Jeans                         0      2


              Group B
                                            W     L

Cobra Energy Drink              2      0
Cebuana Lhuillier                 2      0
Maynilad                               2      1
FCA                                       1      1
Max! Bond Super Glue          1      1
Junior Powerade                     0      2
Café France                            0      3

Games Thursday
(EAC gym)
2 p.m. – Freego Jeans vs Black Water
4 p.m. – Junior Powerade vs Cebuana Lhuillier


Cebuana Lhuillier aims for its third straight win and the Group B lead
when it battles winless Junior Powerade Thursday in the PBA D-League
Foundation Cup at Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.

The Gems and the Tigers (0-2) may be poles apart but Luigi Trillo, the
unassuming Cebuana Lhuillier coach, contends Powerade is no pushover
despite losing their first two games by huge margins.

Another W by the Gems will not only allow them to pass idle co-leader
Cobra Energy Drink (2-0) but also boost their bid for a playoff berth
in the second round.

The top two teams Groups A and B after the qualification round earns
outright passage into the second round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Black Water Perfume attempt for a second straight W in
their 2 o’clock showdown against Freego Jeans, the only winless team
in Group A.

Cebuana Lhuillier blasted FCA, 80-58, last week and many believes
Powerade will be another walk in the park.

“We can’t take them for granted,” cautioned Trillo, specifically
pointing to John Smith and Mark Jeffries, who, he said, made their
presence felt in Powerade’s 73-86 loss to Cobra two weeks ago. He said
the two Fil-Ams, both rookie free agents, will be strictly under their
radar during the 4 p.m encounter.

Trillo said he anticipates the Tigers to go for a quick line-up.

“They like to zone. They are a tough match-up once they run and their
3-point shots start falling,” he said.

The Elite are coming off a two-week break after 72-69 decision against
RnW Pacific Pipes (1-2) that boosted their confidence.

“We are looking forward to our first back-to-back victory. The players
are excited because they know they have a good chance of winning,”
said Black Water coach Leo Isaac.

A second straight win by the Black Water will earn it a tie for place
with NLEX, PC Gilmore and Pharex with 2-1 record.PR